How to Deal with High Engine Water Temperature?
2 Answers
Methods to handle high engine water temperature: Slow down and pull over to the roadside. Do not rush to turn off the engine, as excessively high water temperature can cause the pistons, cylinder walls, cylinders, and crankshaft to overheat, thinning the engine oil and causing it to lose its lubricating properties. If the engine is turned off at this point, the components will still be in an expanded state with very small gaps between them, which could lead to some soft metals peeling off or even cylinder sticking. After noticing the water boiling, do not shut off the engine immediately; instead, keep it idling temporarily and try to cool it down. When cooling down, never pour cold water onto the engine, as this could cause the engine block to crack due to sudden cooling. The correct method is: Put on gloves, place a folded wet cloth over the radiator cap, unscrew the cap slightly to allow steam to escape slowly, and after the radiator pressure drops, add cold water or antifreeze.
Having driven for over twenty years, I've encountered high engine temperature a few times. Experience tells me not to panic—safety comes first. When the engine temperature spikes, I immediately slow down, pull over, turn off the engine, and let it cool naturally. Before opening the hood, I always wear gloves to avoid burns. I check if the coolant reservoir is low and top it off with distilled water as a temporary fix if needed. Then, I inspect the hose connections for leaks and whether the fan is working. Last time, a faulty fan relay caused repeated overheating, but luckily I replaced it in time. Also, running the AC in summer increases the load and can lead to overheating, so maintaining a lower speed is better than high speed. For prevention, checking the cooling system every six months and cleaning dust from the radiator fins are crucial—it makes driving much safer.
